About Major John Keyes, Esq.

From Genealogy of Robert Keyes and Solomon Keyes and Their Descendants (Asa Keyes):

"John Keyes, youngest son of Solomon and Frances, was born in Chelmsford, Mass., his birth there recorded. We first hear of him in Marlboro, Mass., where is recorded the birth of his children. He probably moved to Shrewsbury about 1720, and was one of the founders of the church there. 'He married March 11, 1696, Mary, daughter of Gersham and Hannah (Johnson) Eames. Gersham Eames died in Watertown, Mass., Nov. 25, 1676, and Mary was born four months after her father's death. Her mother subsequently married a Ward, and became the mother of Col. Nahum Ward. In Aug. 1723, a carpenter by the name of Ebenezer Bragg, was building a house for John, then Capt. John Keyes, in Shrewsbury. On the night of the 7th, the house being nearly finished, was burned, as also the old one near it in which Major John was then residing. Six persons were sleeping in the new house. Three sons of Capt. Keyes, and two of Bragg's apprentices were burned, and Bragg saved himself by jumping from the window. John, usually known as the famous Major John Keyes, lived with his wife 72 years. Their son-in-law, Daniel Rand, married Martha Bruce for his 2nd wife, was married by Major John who had then passed his 95th year, and afterward lived with his father-in-law. His farm was subsequently known as the Rand farm, and was purchased by Col. Joseph Henshaw of Rand or his heirs. Maj. John died March 31, 1768. Mary, relict of Maj. John died April 16, 1772, aged 95 years and one month."